LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Kaua'i and state tourism officials don't believe a new thriller-action movie that depicts tourists facing a murder threat on the island's Kalalau Trail will deter people from coming there.

"A Perfect Getaway" depicts a honeymooning couple whose hike on "wild, secluded trails" turns into a "hell on Earth as a brutal battle for survival begins," according to a synopsis by maker Universal Pictures.

"This is a movie and it's a drama and it's fiction," said Mike McCartney, Hawai'i Tourism Authority president and CEO. "It's definitely not reality on Kaua'i. I think that moviegoers and visitors are keenly aware of that difference and don't expect them to think any differently of Kaua'i."

The R-rated movie is to premiere in theaters Aug. 7. Its advertising trailer, which is available online, already has created stir — both for its breathtaking aerial footage of the Na Pali Coast and for the depiction of violence.

"I had one lady yelling at me on the phone, saying 'You're so stupid, having murders up in the Kalalau Valley,' " said Art Umezu, Kaua'i's film commissioner.

While Umezu sympathizes with a local resident's dislike of their home island presented as a crime scene, he urges people to look at the promotional side of things.

The helicopter-view shots of the Na Pali Coast in the trailer are so beautiful that "anybody who's never been to Hawai'i and sees that says, 'That's the island where I want to go,' " Umezu said.

With tourism down, Sue Kanoho, Kaua'i Visitors Bureau executive director, is taking a cautious approach.

"The opening shots are pretty spectacular. We're grateful for that," Kanoho said. "Obviously, the content is a concern for a lot of people."

"If for some reason visitors start to not differentiate, we may post something on our Web site," Kanoho said.

Ironically, the aerial shots are almost the only part of the movie shot on Kaua'i. Most of the action was filmed in Puerto Rico.

"Kaua'i has been Venezuela, has been Vietnam, has been Africa," Kanoho notes. "Our film industry has been built on this island being other places."

McCartney said he'd hope any future films set in Hawai'i actually film in the state, "using our people, our excellent crews and our natural beauty."

Film and television spending in the state reached a record $229 million in 2007, with feature films such as the action-comedy "Tropic Thunder," which was shot on Kaua'i, and the hit television drama "Lost," shot on O'ahu.

Umezu said "Tropic Thunder" spent $68 million while filming on Kaua'i in 2007. Since then, the island has hosted some television shows, including "High School Reunion 6," commercials and the sequel to "Supergator."

Despite the scary subject matter in "A Perfect Getaway," McCartney said, "in the end, it's good they're promoting Hawai'i. They're giving away trips on the trailers."

The movie was written and directed by David Twohy and stars Milla Jovovich, Steve Zahn, Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez.

Thousands of people hike the Kalalau trail each year — some for its full 11-mile length, camping overnight, and others just for a day trip.

"Plenty of people hike in and out of there every day, and they are fine," Kanoho said.